""He was firm," Morgan said. "He was a good officer and he had a good sense of humor. I think it's the best part I ever had. I loved playing Colonel Potter."

Although "M*A*S*H" made him a television icon, Morgan first came to attention for his role as Officer Bill Gannon, Joe Friday's partner on the revived version of "Dragnet," which aired on NBC from 1967-70.

Morgan's ironically gruff demeanor made him an in-demand character actor for nearly five decades.

He appeared in supporting roles in over 100 films, many of them classics such as "The Ox-Bow Incident," "High Noon," and "Inherit the Wind."

His resonant voice and irascible verve made him a natural for parts as authority figures, and he was frequently called upon to play judges, lawmen and military officers.

In addition to "M*A*S*H" and "Dragnet," Morgan scored small screen success playing a henpecked husband on “Pete and Gladys” (1960-62), which originated out of a supporting part he played on “December Bride” (1954-59).

Morgan did have one notable off-screen scandal. The character actor was arrested in 1996 and booked for spousal battery after police responded to a 911 call from his wife, Barbara Bushman. Bushman had a cut under her right eye and a swollen foot, according to reports. Charges were dropped after Morgan agreed to attend a six-month domestic violence program.

Morgan also was married to Eileen Detchon for 45 years until her death in 1985.

He is survived by Bushman; three sons from his first marriage, Christopher, Charles and Paul; and eight grandchildren.